Following each and every UFC event, Dana White holds court for a small group of reporters who respectfully inquire/badger the UFC president on a number of topics.

This past weekend’s UFC 133 event was no different.

And while MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) has already published features on a number of the biggest topics, additional White thoughts – including the futures of Jon Fitch, Matt Hamill, Rich Franklin and Matt Serra, as well as the potential for Shaquille O’Neal to join the promotion – are all included in this UFC 133 notebook.

Fitch may not get his wish in comeback fight

Perennial UFC welterweight contender Jon Fitch (23-3-1 MMA, 13-1-1 UFC) boasts one of the best records in UFC history. However, his wrestling-based style hasn’t earned him much respect in the eyes of fans, and he has yet to earn a second shot at a UFC title since losing to current champ Georges St-Pierre in August 2008.

Fitch fought most recently this past February, where he fell behind early against future UFC Hall of Famer B.J. Penn before battling back to a draw result.

Fitch, who was forced to withdraw from a planned rematch with Penn in order to undergo surgery on a damaged shoulder, has yet to receive his next octagon assignment. The American Kickboxing Academy product has claimed the only logical fights for him are with Penn or St-Pierre.

When questioned on whether he agrees with that assessment, White seemed to lean toward the negative.

“What guys want to do and what’s going to happen are two different things,” White said. “If we can give him all champions and ex-champions, we’ll see. He’s going to have to fight who we say he’s going to fight.”

After two-straight losses, Hamill’s future unclear

A cast member on “The Ultimate Fighter 3,” Matt Hamill (10-4 MMA, 9-4 MMA) has been a staple in the UFC for the past five years. An inspirational figure with an infectious personality, Hamill’s life was recently adapted for a motion picture, and he appeared on top of the world heading into a UFC 130 main event matchup with Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.

Hamill again looked sluggish and out of sorts. Was it the type of performance that might leave him seeking to rebuild on the regional circuit?

White admits the UFC 133 loss was concerning, but he wasn’t prepared to send Hamill packing just yet.

“Well, you’ve got to give him the credit that he just fought Rampage,” White said. “He didn’t do horrible in the Rampage fight considering he was fighting – I still think Rampage is one of the best light heavyweights in the world. Tonight was a big tell. He got beat up tonight. He looked outmatched tonight.

“I don’t know. We’ll see. It’s hard for me to sit here tonight and decide what’s going to happen to certain guys. … You’ve got to take the weekend. We go back to the office, we talk, we go back and forth. It’s not one guy’s decision. It’s me Joe (Silva) and Lorenzo (Fertitta) that sit down and walk through this stuff.”

Franklin vs. Nogueira not necessarily a lock

While UFC 133 ultimately provided a few entertaining matchups on the evening’s main card, the event will always be remembered for a seemingly never-ending string of injuries that forced change after change to the night’s featured bouts.

Among those casualties to the card was former UFC champ Rich Franklin (28-6 MMA, 13-5 UFC), who was a late scratch after his opponent, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (19-5 MMA, 2-2 UFC), was forced to withdraw from the event in mid-July.

While many fans were excited to see “Ace” meet “Little Nog,” White said the matchup might not survive when the two are ultimately re-booked.

“I actually have to get together with Rich Franklin next weekend,” he said. “We have to talk and figure something out. … It depends how long [Nogueira] is out. You know how that goes.

“A mandatory fight – like where Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard both get hurt – if they’re going to heal up and be ready by the same time, that’s the fight we’re going to do. But when you’ve got a fight like Rich and ‘Little Nog,’ we can do something else.”
White uncertain if Serra is retired but suggests he certainly seems (fat and) happy

Outspoken and entertaining New Yorker Matt Serra (11-7 MMA, 7-7 UFC) will forever be a part of UFC history. The longtime veteran’s surprising run to the tournament win of “The Ultimate Fighter 4,” followed by his historic title win over St-Pierre at UFC 69, are among the most memorable wins in the promotion’s history.

But Serra has been surprisingly quiet since falling short to Chris Lytle at UFC 119 this past September.

With the UFC on the East Coast this past weekend – and with Serra’s student Constantinos Philippou earning an upset victory in his first-ever UFC main-card appearance – “The Terror” was seen walking around backstage with his trademark grin in full effect.

In addition to a smile, the 5-foot-6 Serra also appeared to be sporting a few extra pounds, leading some to wonder what exactly his future plans entail.

White didn’t speculate, but he did take a moment to fire a few humorous barbs at the 12-year veteran.

“I don’t know if he’s retired, but he’s definitely up seven weight divisions,” White joked. “I’m just kidding. I love Matt Serra. He’s been around a long time. He’s one of the best guys in this sport personally and professionally.

“I don’t know. He’s loving living his life right now. This guy’s got a ton of successful schools all over New York and has made a lot of money in the UFC. He just had a baby. You want to talk about people that gain weight when they’re happy, he’s really [expletive] happy right now – really happy.”

“Shaq” welcome to join UFC’s ranks; Ochocinco best stick to football

As the UFC and MMA continues to grow in popularity, the sport continues to garner mainstream attention. And as professional athletes from other sports begin to take notice of MMA, many have begun to claim they would enjoy the opportunity to compete in the octagon.

Among the most vocal in recent times have been 7-foot-1 NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neal and recent New England Patriots signee Chad Ochocinco, who claims he could take out UFC welterweight champ and Canadian superstar St-Pierre.

White admits he has a bit of a differing take on the two athletes: O’Neal is welcome to pursue an association with the UFC; Ochocinco should concentrate on football.

However, he doesn’t think either will ever set foot in the cage.

“Shaq is one of my good friends, and he’s been very good to us and the sport of mixed martial arts,” White said. “Shaq does want to get involved, but Shaq’s not fighting. Shaq wants to get involved in the business side of this thing. He’s a guy we have a lot of respect for, so we’ll see what happens.

“Now, Ochocinco has been talking a lot of [expletive]. If he saw the fight [at UFC 133], he better have a different outlook on Canadians. Rory MacDonald will ruin his football career.

“He better stick to playing football. I’m a Patriots fan, so do your thing over there and stay out of this. I can’t tell if this guy likes attention, which we know he does, or if he really believes what he’s saying.”

To keep up with all of the latest happenings with the UFC’s busy schedule, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of MMAjunkie.com.

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